[Sword of the Ancient Temple]
[Elite Grade]
[Attack Power 320]
[‘Moonlight Slash’ skill damage increased by 50%]
[Socket1: EMPTY]
[Socket2: EMPTY]
[Socket3: EMPTY]
(Bound when equipped)
“As expected.”
This dungeon’s weapon had three sockets. It means you can equip up to three Echostones in total.
“First, attack power and life steal Echostones. Hmm, what stat should I put in?”
I fell into happy contemplation.
I was planning to buy additional ‘Red Echostones’ with life steal ability using currency for Elite+ grade Echostone combinations, but in this case, it seemed advantageous to put in one more Echostone with the stat I want.
For now, I equipped the attack power and life steal Echostones I was using after extracting them from my existing weapon. I decided to think about the remaining slot later.
And for other rewards, there were high-grade magic stones, a superior enhancement material, and a few other minor things.
“Wow.”
I covered my reddened face with my small palms and looked at the dungeon costume I obtained this time.
[Archangel Dominion Costume]
[Top and Bottom Item]
A pure white outfit that would look perfect on an angel. The cloth garment with a deep neckline was thin and fluttery. Wearing this dress-like outfit would seem to expose the bare skin of the thighs.
Is it okay to wear such a revealing outfit?
Still, it’s a rare new dungeon costume. It would be a waste not to try it on.
“What… what kind of cloth area is this… W-well, should I try it on?”
Swish.
“Ah…!”
I was startled by the cool sensation creeping between the cloth covering my chest and into my thighs, quickly unequipped the costume, and changed back into the ‘Desert Admiral Costume’.
I can’t wear this outside.
I licked my lips and crumpled the new costume into the dressing room.
And on the altar that appeared after defeating all the bosses, something alien glowing with a blue light.
Lastly, I needed to check this.
Flicker.
[Quest Item]
[Blacksmith’s Unquenchable Flame]
“This is.”
What the ancient dwarves from far more than a thousand years ago tried to protect, even creating powerful golems.
It was this flame.
Why did the ancient dwarves store a flame in a place like this?
Had a disaster that required going to such lengths befallen the Astria continent before I came?
And the 3rd Named. Their form was.
“Angels.”
I’ve never heard that there were angels in this world even a thousand years ago.
The goddess who summoned my soul here and created a body for me.
Even then, the goddess couldn’t actively intervene in this world.
The strong divine power that only the saint could produce. In fact, other priests weren’t of much help.
The hero selection process was also sloppy. Summoning souls from somewhere, giving bodies, giving holy swords, and telling them to figure it out. That was it.
Rain, a frail girl who was suffering from identity confusion due to memories engraved in her soul.
Hero Rain, who simply had extraordinary power borrowed from the holy sword.
In the end, the hero who was incomplete both mentally and physically achieved an incomplete victory.
If there had been strong angels following the goddess’s commands, couldn’t we have defeated the ‘Ma’ more splendidly?
Archangel and Fallen Angel.
Beings that ancient dwarves modeled golems after.
They must have existed in this world, surely.
“Hmm…”
The ‘Unquenchable Flame’ that was sleeping in the temple returned to the dwarves’ hands.
Dwarf Chief Droogel shed tears of joy and danced merrily.
Impressive at that age.
I watched him dancing with a bright smile.
Even if it hadn’t been me, this flame would have been delivered to the dwarves by the party that achieved the first clear.
Due to the activities of the ‘adventurers from the stars’, the users, this continent was gradually regaining its strength.
A very natural flow and dungeon arrangement. If it was intended, it’s amazing.
“Hahaha, Rain! The first glorious forging using this flame, I can do it myself! Will you entrust it to me?”
“Wow, thank you.”
“What are you saying, you are a friend and benefactor of the dwarves!”
I took out the ‘Sword of the Ancient Temple’ that had finished normal magic stone enhancement.
‘High-grade magic stones’, which have very limited sources like arena ranking rewards, can now be obtained through daily quests for clearing the temple.
You can use ‘high-grade magic stones’ to enhance weapons beyond the limits of normal magic stones, but even with the help of a user who has maxed out their blacksmith level, the success rate was only about 10%.
Fortunately, even if it fails, the weapon doesn’t break, only materials and gold are lost.
High-grade magic stone enhancement that uses expensive resources and has a low success rate. But if successful, you can significantly widen the spec gap with other users.
If I borrow the power of the unquenchable flame and Chief Droogel, the success rate is?
“80%…!”
I jumped up and down.
This is definitely going to succeed.
Clang, clang!
“Oops, my hand slipped! I’m sorry about that. Ah, it’s tiring to move my body after so long. Come back in a few days and I’ll do it again for you.”
“Hee, hee.”
Tears welled up in my eyes.
* * *
The capsule opened, and I raised my stiff body.
“Haa.”
I wrapped my arms around my shoulders and shivered for a moment.
Rain was in a lot of pain today. As a bonus, I’m suffering pain together.
But perhaps thanks to taking medicine well and taking good care of my body for a while, my heart didn’t beat violently or my nose didn’t bleed continuously like before.
It probably means once or twice is okay. If it accumulates like last time, it would have a big impact on my real body.
Still, the muscles must have been shocked a lot. My frail body was complaining of pain.
It’s okay. Since Rain enjoyed it, this much pain is nothing.
All I can do is take good care of this body here.
Whirr.
The sound of wheels from the housekeeping robot I called as soon as I ended the connection was heard.
For now, I’ve cleared the dungeon, so I need to eat and continue farming.
Click.
The door opened, and what entered my sight was.
The housekeeping robot carrying the meal, and one person smiling brightly behind it.
“Chris unnie…?”
“Ra~in! Good job today! Unnie lost again?”
“Ahaha…”
I avoided Chris’s gaze while sweating profusely.
Excited Rain had blatantly shown her the sight of entering the dungeon alone.
She probably won’t ask first, but she must be very curious.
“C-come in.”
Smile smile.
Sweat sweat.
Feeling like I was sitting on pins and needles, I ate while watching Chris’s reactions.
Chris just looked at me eating with a subtle smile.
“Haah.”
Clack.
I sighed and put down my chopsticks, looking straight at Chris’s face.
Given this situation, I had no choice but to satisfy her curiosity.
“Chris unnie, I’m going to continue farming the temple after eating. Can you join me for just one run?”
“U-um! Sure! Unnie would rather ask for it!”
Chris clenched her fists and nodded vigorously.
“Really? Then, instead…”
“Instead?”
I lightly wrapped my arms around my shoulders.
Not just my shoulders, but various parts of my body were aching.
I felt the need to relax the muscles shocked by the terrible pain.
But it’s impossible alone. I need Chris’s help.
It’s part of body care.
My body needs to be healthy for Rain to play the game without burden.
“Um, my body is aching, so could you give me a little massage?”
Chris’s eyes widened as if they would pop out, and her mouth fell open.
Why is she like that?
Is asking for a massage such a surprising thing?
“I-is it okay? Really? Is it alright? Is it okay if unnie does it?”
“…Why are you acting like this?”
“Ah, it’s nothing! Th-then are you really doing it? Touching?”
“Yes.”
I lay down comfortably on the bed and closed my eyes.
“…Chris, calm down. Take a deep breath. It’s a massage. Just a simple massage. It’s what Rain wants, right? You learned at the hospital. Caregivers should do this for people with physical discomfort…”
Mutter mutter.
“…?”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Chris’s face muttering something.
Chris climbed onto the bed and was trembling with both hands over my body.
“Unnie, your face is red. Hehe.”
Chris’s face, dyed as red as her bright red hair, was very amusing.
“R-really? Is it because it’s hot!? Should I turn down the heating a bit!?”
Chris fanned her face a few times with her hand, then shook her head vigorously and raised her hands towards my shoulders again.
Finally, her trembling hands landed on my shoulders, and she pressed carefully and gently, but strongly enough to relax the muscles.
Squeeze.
“Hmmm.”
A thin, improper moan escaped my lips.
The first massage I’ve received in my life, it feels good.
“Huck…!”
Chris, who suddenly choked on her breath, hurriedly left my room.
Thud, thud!
From outside the door, the sound of something hitting the wall strongly twice was heard.
Chris with a slightly reddened forehead entered the room.
“Huff, huff. N-now it should be okay!”
“…?”
Chris started putting her hands on my body again with bloodshot eyes.
Her massage, which started from the shoulders, gradually moved down the arms to the hands.
I closed my eyes tightly and savored the sensation of Chris’s touch and massage.
Squeeze.
Twitch.
“Eep…!”
Thud, thud!
Every time I let out a pleased moan, Chris would leave the room once and come back in. Each time, for some reason, the sound of walls resonating could be heard.
I slightly turned my upper body here and there, receiving a massage all over my body.
“Oh.”
After the massage ended, I got up and moved my upper body a few times.
Chris’s massage skills were excellent. The muscles seemed to have relaxed a lot.
I should get massages occasionally.
I gave Chris a smile filled with gratitude.
“Unnie, thank you so much. It felt good. Shall we go to the dungeon now?”
Chris sat down on the floor, panting and muttering with unfocused eyes.
“…I don’t care anymore… Solo play or whatever… It’s too hard… I feel like I could die right now and it wouldn’t be strange…”
Chris looked very exhausted.
I lowered my head deeply in apology.
“I-I’m sorry. I won’t ask for a massage next time.”
“N-no! A-anytime is fine! Just ask unnie! I love massages!”
Chris was startled and waved her hands frantically.
I could only tilt my head at Chris’s flip-flopping reactions.
Is she saying it’s hard, or it’s okay?